2009 Diocesan Altarboy Retreat

May 9, 2009

JOHNSTOWN, PA - His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas has announced today, that plans are underway for the Annual Altarboy's Retreat which will take place from June 28-July 1, 2009 at Christ the Saviour Seminary and Cathedral. The Very Rev. David Cochran has been appointed director of this year's retreat.

The theme for this year's retreat is "Christ Lives in Me" (a paraphrase of Galatians 2:20). The retreat is also dedicated to the memory of Fr. Stephen Dutko, one of the founders of the retreat and his memorable phrase: "I love being a Priest" In addition to participation in daily prayers, liturgical services, classes, and instruction in Plain Chant, the particpants will be hosted on Monday, June 30, by the Sts. Peter and Paul Parish of Windber, PA where they will enjoy swimming, sports and other recreational activities, and a barbeque.

On Tuesday all will participate in the Divine Liturgy in the Diocesan Cathedral and after brunch and classes, will board the buses for a trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for a visit to PNC Park to take in the baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs.

This year, we are pleased to inform you that you will be able to watch the retreat liturgy live (Tuesday June 30 at 9:00 am) and by demand on our diocesan website at http://www.acrod.org/livebroadcast.html We will also post photos as time permits on our

diocesan website either during or immediately following the retreat.All parishes of the diocese are urged to underwrite the $85.00 participation fee for their altarservers, recognizing that the altarboy of today may very well be the priest of tommorow!

All parish priests are kindly asked to send the completed registration forms for each of their altarboys attending by June 12, 2009 - with a check payable to the Altarboy Retreat in the amount of $85.00 per participant to:

Very Rev. David Cochran40 Beaver Dam Rd.Stratford, CT 06614

For additional information on the Altarboy's Retreat, please contact Fr. David Cochran at (203)-385-1020 or at pdavidcochran@msn.com